Jon S Akhtar's TealogJon S Akhtar's tealog on Steepsterhttp://steepster.com/
Madagascar Vanilla Sunday Blend from SpecialTeasI'm with the other reviewers, its a very bland tea - though it does smell nice.Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:22:27 -0400/teas/Madagascar%20Vanilla%20Sunday%20Blend/1168-madagascar-vanilla-sunday-blend?note=49124
Pu Erh Bold Leaf, Organic (No. 591) from SpecialTeasI love this tea, its never bitter and has quite a kick. It makes a tea black as coffee with a wonderful earthy flavor.
I brew mine extra long so its extra strong. I'm not sure that is the "proper way", but that's how I like it.Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:31:31 -0400/teas/Pu%20Erh%20Bold%20Leaf,%20Organic%20(No.%20591)/10165-pu-erh-bold-leaf-organic-no-591?note=49125
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeasI can't get enough of this. It's never bitter - and it has quite a kick to it.Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:45:44 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=49610
Earl Grey Royal (No. 822) from SpecialTeasFollowed the directions - the flavor of the first infusion was WAY too strong. Even cream didn't help. I drank it anyways to see if it would grow on me. It did, but there was just a really bitter overtone that I didn't like.Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:33:30 -0400/teas/Earl%20Grey%20Royal%20(No.%20822)/7459-earl-grey-royal-no-822?note=49798
White Tip Earl Grey (825) from SpecialTeasWonderful flavor - needed no milk at all.Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:42:15 -0400/teas/White%20Tip%20Earl%20Grey%20(825)/7500-white-tip-earl-grey-825?note=49799
White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) Organic China 557 from SpecialTeasI don't think I used enough tea leaves. The flavor was very light and sweet, but not very complex.Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:11:12 -0400/teas/White%20Peony%20(Pai%20Mu%20Tan)%20Organic%20China%20557/6999-white-peony-pai-mu-tan-organic-china-557?note=49893
Singbulli Silver Tips SFTGFOP-1 1st Flush from SpecialTeasFri, 27 Aug 2010 10:32:44 -0400/teas/Singbulli%20Silver%20Tips%20SFTGFOP-1%201st%20Flush/14286-singbulli-silver-tips-sftgfop-1-1st-flush?note=49911
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeasMon, 30 Aug 2010 05:39:37 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=50105
Moroccan Mint (No. 946) from SpecialTeasTue, 31 Aug 2010 07:38:52 -0400/teas/Moroccan%20Mint%20(No.%20946)/14800-moroccan-mint-no-946?note=50226
Masala Chai from SamovarCombined this with specialtead East Friesan Broken blend, and prepared it in my new Breville one touch. I decided to follow the recipe and put the milk in the tea and reboil. It was a little scary putting milk in my new kettle but it handled it just fine.
This tea was simply amazing. Spicy, sweet, smelling of cloves and cardamon. Definately going to infuse this a few more times.Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:41:33 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=50317
Masala Chai from SamovarI have decided that steeping in the milk is an essential part of making good chai. I think some of the flavors in the spice mix are only soluble in fat (so don't use skim milk either).
Today's first cup was like heaven.Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:13:55 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=51425
Pu Erh Bold Leaf, Organic (No. 591) from SpecialTeasWed, 15 Sep 2010 03:27:00 -0400/teas/Pu%20Erh%20Bold%20Leaf,%20Organic%20(No.%20591)/10165-pu-erh-bold-leaf-organic-no-591?note=51501
Rooibos Lemon Chiffon from SpecialTeasMon, 27 Sep 2010 10:03:16 -0400/teas/Rooibos%20Lemon%20Chiffon/1159-rooibos-lemon-chiffon?note=52557
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeasWed, 29 Sep 2010 10:29:45 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=52731
Matcha Culinary Grade, Organic Green Tea from SerendipiTeaMy first matcha so I don't know what good vs bad is. But. i did enjoy it. I started off with a very leafy taste with a surprise but very brief finish of lemonThu, 07 Oct 2010 03:35:46 -0400/teas/Matcha%20Culinary%20Grade,%20Organic%20Green%20Tea/15548-matcha-culinary-grade-organic-green-tea?note=53388
Masala Chai from SamovarI went a little off course on this one. I used the samovar stovetop but I used organic pu-erh from SpecialTeas. This was an interesting brew, I'm going to try it again when I get some more samovar chai.Thu, 07 Oct 2010 07:36:29 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=53389
Masala Chai from SamovarDid another chai + pu erh combo. This time it turned out great. I had more chai mix this time around, and so was able to add more.
I used my Breville One Touch. First 3 minutes at 212 with basket cycle, then add milk and set for 5 minutes at 165 with basket cycle.
Its not perfect - it does come out a bit peppery but I love it.Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:53:32 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=53841
Strawberry Slender from TeavanaWell, it says Pu-Erh, but then on the label it just says black tea. Anyhow there was no earthy flavor at all. It was all tangyness - not bad at all, just not what I was expectingMon, 25 Oct 2010 09:06:39 -0400/teas/Strawberry%20Slender/586-strawberry-slender?note=54979
Strawberry Slender from TeavanaDecided to go round 2 with this one. Into the mix I threw 5 mini tuo cha from specialteas (#590). This was pu erh! The strawberry flavor mixed very nicely with the earth pu erh flavor, and despite the long steep time there was no bitterness at all. So if you like the taste of pu erh, add some extra for a bold kick.Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:11:01 -0400/teas/Strawberry%20Slender/586-strawberry-slender?note=54987
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeasTue, 26 Oct 2010 06:56:32 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=55088
Masala Chai from SamovarWed, 27 Oct 2010 04:49:02 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=55174
Masala Chai from SamovarSamovar stovetop in my Breville.
Add Sugar, tea and 1000 ml water
3 Minutes at 212
Add Milk 200 ml milk (2%)
1 Minute are 212
5 Minutes at 160
This is working out really well
Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:10:26 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=55288
Masala Chai from SamovarLove this stuff...can't get enough. Going to up my rating to a 100Fri, 29 Oct 2010 04:40:35 -0400/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=55404
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeasGetting tired of my tea collection, so this time i decided to blend it up!
In my Breville went 1200 mL of water, 7 mini Tuo Chas, and 2 teaspoons of CherryVana cherry fruit melange.
Cherry Pu Erh - It just went in for its 10 minute steep. I'll report back on the result.
EDIT: Well - I'm on the fence there just wasnt enough cherry flavor (cherry is a difficult flavor to capture). What flavor there was was delicious. This idea of mixing in my fruit
melanges has a lot of promise.
Next time im going to use more melange, and another flavor.
EDIT2: This is actually really good. It has grown on me.Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:27:39 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=55637
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeasToday - continuing on the theme of mixing my own teas.
Into my Breville:
1200 mL H20
8 Mini Tuo Chas
4 Teaspoons of SpecialTeas Autumn Harvest Fruit Melange
10 Minute steep + Basket Cycle
I split each Tua Cha in half in order to strengthen the tea a bit. This mix is a bit riskier than yesterday, I'll let you know how it turns out.
Upping my rating to 95 just for the versatility I have found using this tea.
Update: Oh my - we have a winner! This is a perfect mix!Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:37:17 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=55731
White Tip Earl Grey (825) from SpecialTeasFri, 05 Nov 2010 08:30:08 -0400/teas/White%20Tip%20Earl%20Grey%20(825)/7500-white-tip-earl-grey-825?note=56007
China Pu Erh Tuo Cha (Birds Nest) from SpecialTeas1200 mL H20
8 Mini Tuo Chas
2 Teaspoons of SpecialTeas Red Berries Fruit Melange
10 Minute steep + Basket Cycle
Yum. Berry Pu-Erh.Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:52:50 -0400/teas/China%20Pu%20Erh%20Tuo%20Cha%20%20(Birds%20Nest)/1919-china-pu-erh-tuo-cha-birds-nest?note=56043
White Tip Earl Grey (825) from SpecialTeasYumMon, 08 Nov 2010 06:23:44 -0500/teas/White%20Tip%20Earl%20Grey%20(825)/7500-white-tip-earl-grey-825?note=56305
Emperor's Puerh from Numi Organic TeaFor me this was purchased as a 1lb bag of loose leaf pu erh.
I don't have alot to say about it, its a very good pu erh. Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:05:39 -0500/teas/Emperor's%20Puerh/2399-emperors-puerh?note=56615
Emperor's Puerh from Numi Organic TeaToday i tossed in a teaspoon of SpecialTeas blueberry-cream fruit melange. Whoa! Its a hit!
The cream flavor mixes really well with the earthy flavor of the pu erh.Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:12:40 -0500/teas/Emperor's%20Puerh/2399-emperors-puerh?note=56737
Almond Cookie from SpecialTeasMon, 29 Nov 2010 06:24:00 -0500/teas/Almond%20Cookie/3761-almond-cookie?note=58333
Japanese Cherry from SpecialTeasTue, 30 Nov 2010 05:45:31 -0500/teas/Japanese%20Cherry/1888-japanese-cherry?note=58507
Earl Grey de la Creme from SpecialTeasThu, 02 Dec 2010 09:04:28 -0500/teas/Earl%20Grey%20de%20la%20Creme/1232-earl-grey-de-la-creme?note=58754
Emperor's Puerh from Numi Organic TeaMixed with SpecialTeas Raspberry Fruit Melange. Awesome, made 2 pots.Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:50:39 -0500/teas/Emperor's%20Puerh/2399-emperors-puerh?note=59113
Emperor's Puerh from Numi Organic TeaAnother great pot of Pu Erh + Fruit Melange. Today's fruit was SpecialTeas Blueberry-Cream fruit Melange.
Yum!Tue, 14 Dec 2010 06:40:02 -0500/teas/Emperor's%20Puerh/2399-emperors-puerh?note=59981
Masala Chai from SamovarI love this stuff.Thu, 23 Dec 2010 06:39:49 -0500/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=60861
Masala Chai from SamovarTue, 04 Jan 2011 11:40:43 -0500/teas/Masala%20Chai/1955-masala-chai?note=61954
Peppermint, Cut-Leaf Organic (No. 977) from SpecialTeasThu, 06 Jan 2011 15:21:57 -0500/teas/Peppermint,%20Cut-Leaf%20Organic%20(No.%20977)/14802-peppermint-cut-leaf-organic-no-977?note=62202
Emperor's Puerh from Numi Organic TeaWas in the mood for some pu erh today. I decided to combine this pu erh with SpecialTeas golden spice blend (a spice melange that has been discontinued). WOW! With some sugar and milk, the resulting tea was sensational. You could still taste the strong earthy pu erh, but at the same time the spice melange flavored everything my entire tounge erupted with sensation.
Quite a good combo.Mon, 10 Jan 2011 06:03:20 -0500/teas/Emperor's%20Puerh/2399-emperors-puerh?note=62550
Chocolate Mint Flavored Black Tea from 52teasLast night I had mint gelato, this morning I had this wonderful tea. They both tasted the same. I love this stuff.Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:21:32 -0500/teas/Chocolate%20Mint%20Flavored%20Black%20Tea/8048-chocolate-mint-flavored-black-tea?note=65192
Chai With Chocolate from 52teasMy first go at this. I didn't stovetop since I was out of milk. (I added cream) I also didn't add any tea to this, so my first impression was "This tea is kinda weak". I'll try again another time, hopefully with better results.Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:39:53 -0500/teas/Chai%20With%20Chocolate/6471-chai-with-chocolate?note=65322